Which place is cheaper, Big Pine Key or Cancun?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Cancun or Big Pine Key?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Cancun and Big Pine Key can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Cancun or Big Pine Key?
Cancun
In the northeast corner of the Mexican Caribbean, Cancun is one of Mexico's most popular destinations. The area that is now Cancun was actually selected specifically by the Mexican government for development as a tourist destination. The area was chosen because it has fourteen miles of beautiful white beaches, nearby Mayan ruins, and turquoise blue water with nearby snorkeling and scuba diving opportunities. Prior to its development as a tourist destination, there were few inhabitants in the area.
Big Pine Key
If you are yearning for a slice of paradise without the hustle and bustle of an ever-growing tourist population, the calm, turquoise waters and the untouched sands of Big Pine Key will surely do. Located 100 miles south of Miami and 30 miles north of Key West, this small community huddled in the family of Florida keys is often overlooked by many. However, Big Pine Key is truly a gem for all who seek a tropical vacation as activities like boating, fishing, scuba diving and snorkeling are found throughout the town. Besides its oceanic wonders, Big Pine Key also boasts in containing some of the United States' best seafood restaurants. Enjoy the aquatic wonders of the Keys and stop at Big Pine Key!
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Mexico, The Best Adventure Tours to Mexico, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCancun $124Big Pine Key $144
The average daily cost (per person) in Cancun is $124, while the average daily cost in Big Pine Key is $144. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Cancun and Big Pine Key in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCancun $82Big Pine Key $64
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCancun $164Big Pine Key $128
Compare Hotels in Cancun and Big Pine Key
Looking for a hotel in Cancun or Big Pine Key? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Cancun Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cancun $15Big Pine Key $56
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cancun
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cancun:
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Taxi Around Town$1.40
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Airport Shuttle (for 2)$12
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Ferry to Isla de Mujeres (for 2)$14
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Local Bus (for 2)$1.70
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cancun
Also for Cancun, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- transfers between hotels in Cancun hotel strip: $20
- Xplor-ticket included 1 Day Tour from Cancun with hotel transfer : $171
- Xcaret 1 Day Tour from Cancun with Hotel Transfer: $204
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Cancun HTL-APT (CUN): $55
- Transfers in Private MiniVan wi fi on board: $61
- Transfers in Luxury Sedan from Cancun Airport: $85
- Transfers in Lincoln Strecth Limousine with Wi Fi on board: $121
- Transfers in Lincoln Strecth Limousine with Wi Fi on board: $137
- Transfers in Lincoln Strecth Limousine with Wi Fi on board: $261
- Transfers From Hotel to Hotel: $120
- Transfer in Private Minivan from Cancun Airport (CUN) - Akumal City: $67
- Transfer from Puerto de Chiquila to Cancun Airport: $156
Is it cheaper to fly into Cancun or Big Pine Key?
Prices for flights to both Big Pine Key and Cancun change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayCancun $24Big Pine Key $42
Typical Food Prices in Cancun
For Cancun, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch for Two$18
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cancun
For Cancun, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Señor Frogs Ticket with 2-Course Dinner and Drink: $33
- Captain Hook: Pirate Show and Dinner Cruise in Cancun: $46
- The Ultimate Cancun Taco & Street Mexican Food Tour: $49
- Mayan Chichen Itza And Pirate Dinner Two Day Experience: $57
- (2x1 price) Pirate Night! Dinner, Fun and Show: $63
- (2x1 price) Dinner Show and Pirates Experience : $63
- Cancun Street Food Tour with Food Stalls, Local Market and Murals: $64
- Puerto Morelos Walking Food Tour: $67
- Cancun Walking Food Tour: Local Food, Markets, and Street Art.: $67
- Cooking Show & Tequila Tasting: $73
- Cancun Authentic Downtown Food Tour: Tacos and Local Flavors: $78
- Cancun Hands-On Mexican Cooking Class : $79
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cancun $29Big Pine Key $42
Typical Entertainment Prices in Cancun
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Cancun's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Seasick Pills$0.50
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Whale Shark Tour (for 2)$85
Tours and Activities in Cancun
For Cancun, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2 Day Combo Tour, Xcaret, Xel-Ha, Xplor and Chichen Itza Option: $244
- 2 Hours Speed Boat Tour and Snorkeling in Nichupte Lagoon: $39
- Coco Bongo Music And Show Ticket: $90
- Full Day All Inclusive Catamaran Tour to Isla Mujeres : $99
- Full Day Chichen-Itza, Cenote and Valladolid Complete Tour: $37
- Holbox Island Magic Tour from Cancun : $144
- Isla Contoy and Isla Mujeres Tour: $152
- Isla Mujeres Catamaran Platinum Tour with Open Bar: $115
- LDS Tour to Chichen Itza + Cenote : $165
- Private Tour to Tulum Ruins and Cenotes : $257
- Reef and Sunken Ship Snorkeling Experience in Cancun: $85
- Tour to Chichen Itza & Cenotes Ik kill & Hubiku from Cancun: $128
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCancun $11Big Pine Key $9.29
Sample the Local Flavors in Cancun
Also in Cancun, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Social Pub Crawl in Cancun: $32
- Brewery Tour / Craft Beer Tasting Cancun Mexico: $129
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cancun and Big Pine Key, we can see that Big Pine Key is more expensive. And not only is Cancun much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cancun would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cancun and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Big Pine Key would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Big Pine Key than you might in Cancun.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cancun Expensive? and Is Big Pine Key Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cancun or Big Pine Key?
Cancun has a larger population, and is about 100 times larger than the population of Big Pine Key. When comparing the sizes of Cancun and Big Pine Key, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.